In Japan, December means three major holidays: the winter solstice celebration, known as Toji; Christmas Eve; and Omisoka, the New Year's Eve purity rites, which take place in both the shrine and the home.
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When cooking Japanese food in season, choose carrots and mung bean sprouts for the month of January. They add plenty of flavor to a wide variety of traditional Japanese dishes, as well as nutrition and health benefits.
Culture, Food Traditions, Seasonal, Winter
12 Months of Japanese Holidays: January’s San Ga Nichi, Nanakusa and Kagami Biraki
The month of January brings three of the most significant holidays in Japanese culture: San Ga Nichi, the first three days of the new year; Nanakusa, when the Japanese esat seven-herb porridge; and Kagami Biraki, the opening of the mochi.
Although the term setsubun refers to the turning of any season in Japan, only one of the four annual occurrences is a well-known holiday. On February 3, the Japanese usher in spring with purifying rituals.
Osechi ryori is a celebratory meal in Japan, enjoyed during the New Year holiday and shared with family. The foods that comprise osechi ryori each have its own meaning and symbolism, many representing health, wealth, and happiness for the new year.
Do you see cold nights in your near future? If so, turn them into an opportunity to gather your friends and practice your sake-serving skills with this guide.
Got the winter blues? What you need is nabemono and warm sake, a Japanese tradition. Find out how it all works here.
There are many ways to enjoy Japanese rice porridge, whether you're feeling sick or just hoping to warm up after being in the cold. By adding things such as meat, eggs, and vegetables, you can make a hearty and filling meal out of simple ingredients.
In Japan, people often cook with fresh, in-season ingredients. During the cold month of December, hakusai (nappa cabbage), kabu (turnips) and daikon radishes are the perfect accompaniments to many hearty and warming dishes.
This winter, get out of the cold weather and visit a Japanese Food mecca south of the equator like Singapore, Easter Island and Hawaii.
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Quick & Easy Recipes
Soups are an important part of Japanese food culture, but they are often overlooked. Here is an easy recipe for a ginger and onion spiced tuna, mushroom and onion dashi soup that's perfect for almost any season.
Traditional Japanese eggplant and chicken miso stir fry recipe and video plus tips on authentic Japanese stir-frying techniques that will have you outfrying the Iron Chef right in your own kitchen.
Learn how to make spinach with a Japanese twist with Umami Insider's easy video. View detailed recipe and print it here too!
Karaage is a common side dish found in many lunch boxes, and a very popular dish for dinner. It also serves many, so it's perfect for a party!
This slimy and gooey mushrooms are surprisingly tasty! You can reduce the amount of water if you want a stronger flavor.
Soy and butter combine to deliver a savory flavor punch you will not soon forget with our easy-to-make authentic Japanese recipe for butter sautéed spinach and egg scramble that you can make from scratch right in your home kitchen.
Easy-to-follow recipe and video for enoki mushroom and spinach mayonnaise salad, plus everything you need to know about Japanese mushrooms and mayonnaise.
Three flavors and three colors come together in perfect harmony in our yummy tricolor soboro bowl where seasoned ground chicken, Japanese style scrambled eggs and snow peas each stand apart.
Healthy smoothie with a hint of green tea will get you ready for the day.
Make an authentic Japanese simmered daikon radish with chicken soboro using our handy recipe. This dashi-broth-infused dish is simple yet elegant and packs a lot of flavor, making it perfect as a side or main dish for many different occasions.
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Main Dish, Recipe
Recipe & Video: Japanese-Style BBQ with Maruman Miso Marinade (Chicken Wings, Salmon, and Veggies)
Making Japanese-style BBQ cannot be easier with Maruman’s miso marinade. Make miso flavored chicken wings, salmon or stir fried veggies with our easy recipes and accompanying video. You will be surprised at how well miso enhances the flavor of all...
If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at preparing and cooking some healthy Japanese meals, you’ll first need to make sure you have some important pantry items on hand. Umami Insider has composed this collection of amazing condiments and sauces.
Matcha ice cream, mochi, kanten and syrup all come together for a taste bud explosion in our traditional Japanese matcha parfait. Top it with adzuki beans and fresh fruit for extra flavors!
Japan meets Italy in an explosion of flavor with our quick and easy to prepare Japanese pasta recipe. Using freeze dried miso soup from Miyasaka Jozo USA, this authentic Japanese recipe will bring the best of east and west to your dinner table!
Make a delicious sashimi tuna rice bowl from scratch using an umami-rich marinade to really bring out the flavor with our recipe. This special donburi recipe makes a great lunch or hot weather dinner and will impress friends and family.
Entertaining, Party Ideas
Enhance Your Japanese Dining Experience With These Easy-to-Learn Japanese Phrases
Learning some basic Japanese terminology regarding a dining experience can serve to enhance your meal. The handful of Japanese phrases and words in this short guide will enable you to impress your friends and show respect to the chef or host.
